France's Isabelle Gilbert and David Debort rode on a shuttle into the 2017 World Rowing Championships at Nathan Benderson Park. They were smiling all the way.
"We're on vacation," Gilbert said in her best English. "We are rowers ... I am not competitive, but (David) is."
Although on vacation, they decided to volunteer at the event while using the rest of their time to explore Sarasota and Manatee counties.
"Everyone here has been hospitable ... very friendly," said Debort, who said he knows almost no English but it isn't keeping him from enjoying himself.Â
"Maybe we come back next year," Gilbert said.
While the United States was shut out of a rowing gold medal at this World Championships, Sarasota and Manatee counties were the big winners. The event drew more than 6,000 people on Saturday and more than 8,000 on Sunday according to a World Championship committee spokesman. With just over 10,000 for the opening ceremonies seven days earlier, the committee expects to reach its goal of attracting 40,000 fans for the entire event.
All the seating — VIP, beach, pavilion, grandstand — was sold out both Saturday and Sunday.
"I didn't think I could envision those grandstands to be packed shoulder-to-shoulder," said Max Winitz, the communications and public relations director for the event. "Rowing in the United States is a niche sport.
"But they were."
In competition on Sunday, the U.S. streak of world championships or Olympic gold medals since 2006 in the Women's Eights was snapped. The American team finished fourth while Romania took the gold.
However, the U.S. won silver medals in the Women's Double Sculls with Meghan O'Leary and Ellen Tomek, and the Men's Eight with Dariush Aghai, Yohann Rigogne, Alexander Karwoski, Jordan Vanderstoep, Thomas Peszek, Nicholas Mead, Andrew Reed, Patrick Eble and Julian Venonsky.
Germany won the gold in the Men's Eights and New Zealand took the gold in the Women's Double Sculls.
"This was an awesome venue," Tomek said. "It was reminiscent of an Olympic venue. I am really proud to be able to call this a home course."
Other golds were won Sunday by New Zealand in Men's Double Sculls, Switzerland's Jeannine Gmelin in the Women's Single Sculls, Czechoslovakia's Ondrej Synek in the Men's Single Sculls, and Italy in the Lightweight Men's Fours.
Italy won the most medals overall with nine while New Zealand and Great Britain tied for second with seven each. The United States and Australia each won six medals.
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Ellen Tomek falls back into the arms of U.S. teammate Meghan O'Leary after they earned a silver medal in the Women's Double Sculls on Sunday at the 2017 World Rowing Championships in Sarasota.
Ellen Tomek and Meghan O'Leary of the United States celebrate their silver medals during the awards ceremony.
Scully, the mascot of the 2017 World Rowing Championships at Nathan Benderson Park, checks out the VIP section in the finish tower on Sunday's final day.
A World Rowing spokesman said more than 8,000 fans packed Nathan Benderson Park on Sunday for the final day of the world championships.
The U.S. Women's rowing team did not win a major event (World Championship or Olympics) for the first time since 2006. The Americans finished fourth while Romania took the gold.
Bicyclists raced along with the rowers at Nathan Benderson Park, sometimes seeming to be waging their own race.
The event, including VIP seating in the new finish tower, was a complete sellout for Saturday and Sunday. No beach, grandstand, VIP or Pavilion seating was left.
Max Winitz, the communications and public relations manager for the World Rowing Championships, said in a single word, the event was "amazing."
Jessica Shorin, SANCA's director of marketing and business development, was a major success for Nathan Benderson Park.
The price of Scully, the event's mascot, is about to come down.
Hosting the 2017 World Rowing Championships developed plenty of interest for the Sarasota Scullers.
The U.S. Men's Eight captured the silver medal, finishing second to Germany.
Ellen Tomek and Meghan O'Leary climb into the stands after earning a silver in the Women's Double Sculls.
The World Championships was a party in more ways than one as some fans took advantage of the portable bar.
If fans weren't into rowing, the event hosted several other fitness demonstrations as well.
You could buy a boat, or a truck to pull it while shopping at the 2017 World Rowing Championships.
UCF rowers Raevaun Clark, Forrest McClellan and Nicholas Smith wanted to make some noise for the best rowers.
For many fans, the 2017 World Rowing Championships was a day at the beach.
If you do have a front-row seat, why not take a selfie?
Fans crowded all along the waterfront on Sunday. All seating was sold out.
Not a sports fan? The event had plenty of shopping opportunities.
Jessica Parrish volunteered in security and said people had been very cordial.
Those attending the event only experienced minor delays getting from the parking lot into the venue.
Isabelle Gilbert, David Debort and Pam Harding ride from the parking lot. "Oh my gosh, this is such a wonderful, beautiful place," said Harding, who worked as a volunteer.
Braden River Middle sixth graders Aiden Shea, Hunter Malley and Collin Barrett saw their artwork for Argentina's team displayed at the 2017 World Rowing Championships.
The Sarasota and Manatee school districts combined to produce artwork for the event with "Adopt a Team."
The VIP level of the finish tower was sold out on Sunday.
Scully isn't in prison. He is just waiting to be sold in a gift shop at the event.
Sarasota's Art Fuller entertained rowing fans as they arrived in the parking lot. "This brings in a lot of commerce," he said.
Siggi Urban, who moved recently to Sarasota from Germany, volunteered as a shuttle driver. "It's a blast," he said. "Many people are saying it's unbelievable."
Shuttles kept working non-stop of Sunday.
After the 2017 World Rowing Championships closed on Sunday, only one thing was left to be said. "Scully has left the building."
